is 



THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. 



THE BEST WAY OF HEATING A SMALL 

 GREENHOUSE. 



Now that the question of coals becomes a serious one 

 for those who have what is called " limited means " (for 

 who has unlimited means we are at a loss to know), it 

 may be worth while to say a few words on a question we 

 have been asked by a correspondent — viz., What is the 

 best method of heating 1 a small house for an amateur, say 

 twenty feet by twelve ? Hot water is, of course, the 

 pleasantest and most healthy heat for plants, but we 

 hardly suppose that in a house of that size it is intended 

 to keep up a constant supply of heat for forcing, hut 

 that the object is simply to exclude frost. In that case 

 we should not advise hot water. If the pipes are not | 

 constantly in use they are apt to corrode, and damage 

 frequently happens, while no hot-water apparatus that 

 we have ever seen was so small as not to involve a great 

 waste of fuel when applied to a house of this kind. We 

 are therefore of opinion that the old-fashioned fireplace, 

 with a brick flue, is the cheapest, and is certainly as 

 effective as any. In our case we have a modification of 

 this. We have a brick flue for about six feet from the 

 fireplace, and then we carry it on with glazed earthen- 

 ware pipes, taking care that a sufficient rise is given to 

 enable the smoke to ascend easily. Care must be taken 

 to see that the elbows do not become choked with soot, 

 and they should consequently be looked to occasionally. 

 We would say that there is no greater mistake than that 

 which some amateurs make, to keep up a heat in their 

 house when there is no frost. Such greenhouses generally 

 contain a miscellaneous collection of plants, to which 

 such treatment is very injurious. It is best to keep 

 them as hardy as one can, and then they will be better 

 able to withstand cold ; whereas if they are kept in a state 

 of tenderness by fire-heat they very readily succumb to 

 the least toucli of frost. The common fireplace has also 

 the advantage of burning any kind of fuel ; in fact we, 

 after the fire is lighted, rarely burn anything but cinders, 

 and this at the present high price of fuel is a great 

 advantage. 



IVY AS A DECORATION IN SITTING ROOMS. 



We have frequently seen this used very effectively in 

 large rooms, ornamental narrow boxes b^ing filled with 

 earth and then a light wire trellis being fixed to them, 

 on which the ivy runs. These placed on tables in 

 window recesses form a pleasant screen, always fresh and 

 green. A writer in the Gardener s Magazine suggests 

 their employment for the filling up of fireplaces, in lieu 

 of the paper ornaments now used. The box should be 

 made the size of the opening — the trellis made to slant 

 backwards, the ivy planted in spring, and the box kept 

 in the greenhouse or some outhouse until wanted; 

 flowering plants might also be introduced into the boxes 

 in front of the ivy, and altogether we think it would 

 have a pleasing effect. 



R EVI E W. 



The Young Collector's ITancly-boolc of Recreative Science. 



By the Rev. H. P. Dunsteii, M.A. Reeve and Co. 

 This is a companion volume to one we noticed some 

 months since (No. 1, New Series), and is designed, as 

 stated in the preface, " to introduce young persons of 

 both sexes to the study of some of the many interesting 

 subjects included within the large circle of the recreative 

 sciences/' The author further remarks that " in the life 

 of every individual — even the busiest and best em- 

 ployed — there are hours of leisure to be rescued from 

 idleness, interludes that ought not to be given over to 

 listlessness and inactivity, for which a most pleasurable 

 occupation may be found in the wide field of nature, 

 amidst the created wonders of the living God." In- 

 tended as a "Recreative" companion rather than a 

 working scientific treatise, it would be hardly fair to 

 subject it to a strictly scientific test. That it will prove 

 a useful, agreeable, and instructive companion to any 

 young person disposed to adopt it we have already had 

 proof. It treats of Fossils; Minerals and Precious Stones; 

 Land and Coast Shells; Beach Stones, Pebbles and 

 Beach Fossils ; and Fresh and Saltwater Aquaria. 



F. L. S. 



CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 



Messrs. Sutton's Catalogue of Fresh Imported Bul- 

 bous Flower Roots, Plants, Seeds, &c. — Prepared with 

 much care, and containing plain and practical hints for 

 the cultivation of the various bulbs. Annexed there are 

 also select and useful lists of such flower-seeds as it is 

 desirable to sow at this season of the year. The well- 

 known character of the firm is a sure guarantee for the 

 excellence of their stock. 



Messrs. Veitch and Son's Catalogue of Hyacinth and 

 other Bulbous Roots. — An excellent catalogue, contain- 

 ing amongst other things a good selection of Gladioli — 

 a flower which is coming rapidly into favour, and de- 

 servedly so, for its exceeding beauty ; it is very largely 

 illustrated with small but accm-ate figures of the flowers 

 recommended. 



Messrs. Carter and Co.'s Catalogue of Dutch Flower 

 Roots, &c. — No house goes so extensively as this into 

 the trade for Dutch roots, and their catalogue is a most 

 valuable help to the amateur who is desirous of growing 

 bulbs successfully. 



Dutch Flower Roots. From A. Arthur Dickson and 

 Sons, 106, Eastgate Street, Chester. — A neat and well 

 arranged list by one of our best provincial firms. 



Catalogue of Hyacinths, &c. Messrs. James Cutbush 

 and Sons, Highgate. — Mr. Cutbush is well known for 

 his success as an exhibitor, and is justly proud that nearly 

 all the first prizes for Hyacinths at our great London 

 shows have been obtained by bulbs supplied by him. 



General Bulb Catalogue. B. S. Williams, Victoria 

 and Paradise Nurseries, Hollovvay. — A good catalogue, 

 containing also an extensive selection of fruit trees and 

 roses, the latter well arranged and described. 



